Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices for Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Primary Healthcare Physicians in Georgia.

A nationwide serosurvey among adults in 2021 showed a 2.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3%-3.

Assessment of Viral and Clinical Characteristics Among Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Georgia.

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) is one of the major healthcare problems in Georgia. To achieve viral hepatitis elimination, gaps in diagnosis and management of chronic HBV infection need to be addressed. The aim of our study was to collect data on clinical and viral characteristics of patients with chronic HBV infection to estimate the proportion of patients who may need antiviral treatment.

Hepatitis C care cascade among patients with and without tuberculosis: Nationwide observational cohort study in the country of Georgia, 2015-2020.

Background: The Eastern European country of Georgia initiated a nationwide hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination program in 2015 to address a high burden of infection. Screening for HCV infection through antibody testing was integrated into multiple existing programs, including the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP). We sought to compare the hepatitis C care cascade among patients with and without tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in Georgia between 2015 and 2019 and to identify factors associated with loss to follow-up (LTFU) in hepatitis C care among patients with TB.

Assessment of treatment options for patients with hepatitis C virus recombinant form 2k/1b.

Aim: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) intergenotype recombinant form (RF) 2k/1b has been actively circulating in HCV-infected patients, and the prevalence of this RF virus in the Republic of Georgia is one of the highest reported worldwide. The aim of this study was to define the optimal treatment regimen for patients with RF_2k/1b.

Methods: We analyzed the data of 2735 patients who started treatment at the Medical Center Mrcheveli within Georgia's hepatitis C elimination program from May 2015 through December 2019.

Progress and challenges of a pioneering hepatitis C elimination program in the country of Georgia.

Background & Aims: Georgia, with a high prevalence of HCV infection, launched the world's first national hepatitis C elimination program in April 2015. A key strategy is the identification, treatment, and cure of the estimated 150,000 HCV-infected people living in the country. We report on progress and key challenges from Georgia's experience.

Progress in Testing for and Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Persons Who Inject Drugs - Georgia, 2018.

In April 2015, the country of Georgia, with a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (5.4% of the adult population, approximately 150,000 persons), embarked on the world's first national elimination program (1,2). Nearly 40% of these infections are attributed to injection drug use, and an estimated 2% of the adult population currently inject drugs, among the highest prevalence of injection drug use in the world (3,4).

Identification of hepatitis C virus 2k/1b intergenotypic recombinants in Georgia.

Background And Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the hepatitis C virus intergenotype recombinant strain RF1_2k/1b in Georgia, confirm viral recombination by full genome sequencing, and determine a genetic relationship with previously described recombinant hepatitis C viruses.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from 1421 Georgian patients with chronic hepatitis C. Genotyping was performed with the INNO-LiPA VERSANT HCV Genotype 2.